Cool Trail Solutions

Roads crossing trails: signs for motorists

Drivers should be alerted when trails cross the roadway. Motorists generally do not expect to encounter bikes, horses, and pedestrians crossing the road except at intersections. Many trails and greenways do intersect streets mid-block and cross highways in rural areas. Signs, delineators, pavement markings, and raised bumps are all used to warn drivers of possible trail users ahead. Also see signs and markings on trails to alert trail users of a road crossing. These examples cover a variety of trails and roadway types, but the common factor is that these crossings are not protected by signals or stoplights. (Commentary and photos by Stuart Macdonald)

A "Cross Road Ahead" sign is used in advance of the road crossing of the Kal-Haven Trail in Kendall, MI; an additional sign is placed at the trail itself; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 17 Sept 2011

Distace is specified on this warning sign for trail ahead on the Kal-Haven Trail in Kendall, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 17 Sept 2011

The trail is also identified on a brown recreation sign at this road crossing; Kal-Haven Trail in Kendall, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 17 Sept 2011

Here the road traffic is required to stoop when crossing the Kal-Haven Trail in Kendall, MI; snowmobile symbols are used rather than the bike and ped symbols used elsewhere along the trail; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 17 Sept 2011

Both bike and ped symbols are used on caution sign at crossing of Highline Canal, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 6 Nov 2009